DC Board Of Elections May Be Prohibited From Officially Certifying Election
Results

CONGRESS ORDERED D.C. VOTE VOIDED, FIRST EVER IN US HISTORY

Washington, DC - Congress has suspended an election. An amendment included
on the FY 1999 D.C. budget prohibits the certification of election results
conducted in the District of Columbia on a citizens' Initiative `59. The
initiative, if approved, would protect the sick and dying by permitting
doctors to recommend marijuana for patients with serious and terminal
illnesses like cancer and AIDS.

The amendment, introduced by Republican Bob Barr (GA), reads: "Sec. 171.
None of the funds contained in this act may be used to conduct any ballot
initiative which seeks to legalize or otherwise reduce penalties associated
with the possession, use, or distribution of any schedule I substance under
the Controlled Substance Act (21 U.S.C. 802) or any tetrahydrocannabinols
derivative."

The ballots for Initiative 59 are already printed, and will be voted and
counted. However, the DC Board of Elections may be prohibited from
officially certifying the results. "Congress has struck at the heart of
Democracy. Too many people have sacrificed their lives fighting for the
right to vote," states I-59 sponsor, activist Wayne Turner.

Is the war on marijuana and its users so serious that fundamental
constitutional freedoms must be sacrificed? I've heard Congressman Leach
say, his job is to represent the people. Voiding an election, is this
representation? I thought this kind of thing only happens in third world
countries. Contact your members of Congress and tell them, this is wrong!

For more on this and other cannabis news, see http://www.marijuananews.com/

James Getman
Davenport, IA

Checked-by: Richard Lake